~ Author of YA 'The Lost Realm' Series

Tag Archives: #books

When I was 17, I wrote and rewrote my first book. When I was 19, I received a life changing offer from a small (and ever growing) publishing company to finally see the series I spent the better part of my teenage years working on in print.
After a lot of thinking and deliberating, I decided to get my first tattoo about a year ago, then enlarged it some tonight. (I’m kind of a wuss, so I like to do things cautiously and minimally.) This mark is the mark of the Council (a Darspinger) from my own books, ‘The Lost Realm Series.’
The thing is, this mark is more than just a symbol from a book. This is a mark that represents loss and grief, especially for those characters where my books are concerned. Because in order to grow, we have to stumble and count our losses along the way. Over the last year and a half or so, I’ve had this lesson handed to me over and over again, and in a thousand different ways. I parted with the town and school I loved to take a risk in a town and school I knew nothing about, left people I loved behind, quit my stuffy office job, lost a few friends along the way (figuratively), and lost a beloved family member as well (literally). But among all the chaos and pain, somewhere along the way, amazingly, I started to grow.
2015 has been a monster of a year, to say the least. I know there’s still a little over a month before it’s finally over (thank goodness!), but I felt that now was an appropriate time–if there ever is actually an appropriate time to get profound on social media–to post some thoughts. Apologies to everyone for the monologue. Sometimes it feels good to get on my philosophical soap box and use my almost English degree to talk nonsense.
What I’m really trying to get at here is that the new Star Wars movie comes out in less than a month, so this year can’t be all bad, right? *Prays Abrams really knows what he’s doing.*
*To those of you gloriously dedicated, awesome humans who read my books and have asked when the next one comes out, I promise that I have not forgotten about you. I’m working on a little at a time, around the time when I’m not in school, writing papers, or having minor mental breakdowns. It WILL get done, hopefully over my holiday break. As always, thank you all so much for your patience.
XOXOXO

In celebration of the 3,728 (14 pages-worth) of words I’ve written today, I decided to let everyone else in on my celebration as well. For all of my awesome readers, who have been so patient as they wait for me to hurry and finish TLR 4, I decided to reward everyone with a small treat. Before you read, be warned that this is an UNEDITED excerpt and you will probably be left with more questions than answers–what can I say? I’m a tease. I might also advise you you all to grab your tissues.

Enjoy, my loves! 🙂

THE LOST REALM BOOK 4 EXCERPT

When her surroundings finally stilled, Emma saw that she was standing in what looked to be a hallowed tree. It was the only observation she had time to make before she noticed the other occupant of the area.
“Tristan!” she exclaimed as she fell onto her knees beside him. She reached out to touch him, feeling furious and powerless when her hands went right through him. “Tristan, can you hear me?”
It was a stupid thing to ask. Of course he couldn’t hear her, not when she was nothing more than a lingering spirit and him injured and incoherent. Still, Emma felt comforted speaking to him, even if he wasn’t able to answer her.
“I apologize for what I am about to do,” an animalistic voice said from behind her.
Emma turned to look at the mossy bearded man and the dagger in his hands. Her heart clenched as she wondered what he was going to use the dagger for, and then unclenched in confusion as the strange man held the blade over the pit of flames. Only then did she notice the strap of leather wedged between Tristan’s teeth.
“Oh God.”
For his part, the bearded man tried to be swift as he firmly pressed the hot blade against the giant, unsightly welt on Tristan’s neck. There was a sizzling hiss, followed by an agonized howl that made Emma want to hold onto Tristan and never let go.
“You’re hurting him!” she yelled to the man.
Finally, the man lifted the dagger and returned to the fire pit. Emma couldn’t tear her eyes from the shiny patch of burnt flash the hot dagger had left behind. The man was at Tristan’s side again, once again carrying an orange-tinted dagger.
“Don’t—”
This time, Tristan’s emerald eyes flew open from the shock of the pain. Emma tried to block out his screams as she knelt over his body, as if by doing so would somehow protect him from any further harm.
“It’s okay,” she whispered into his ear. “I’m here, Tristan.”
Tristan shouldn’t have been able to make sense of anything that was going on around him. That much had already become evident to Emma. But as his dazed gaze suddenly seemed to focus on her, Emma sucked in a startled breath.
“Emma?” he murmured through the leather strap still wedged between his teeth.
Emma eagerly nodded. “Yes, Tristan. It’s me.”
The bearded man finally tossed his dagger aside and gently removed the strap from Tristan’s mouth. Emma barely noticed as he stood and disappeared from the room.
Tristan reached a hand out, as if he really could see her.
Emma’s eyes stung as she sadly shook her head. “It won’t work, Tristan.”
His tapered fingers grasped at empty air in response.
There was another throbbing sensation in Emma’s head, like some silent warning that she was running out of time. “I can’t stay much longer.”
“Please,” he murmured.
Emma held a hand as close to his cheek as she could without passing through him. “I’m so sorry, Tristan. Where I’m at right now…I’m lucky I was able to come here. Even luckier you’re able to see me.”
Tristan was fighting to maintain his consciousness as he breathed, “My fault.”
He was referring to her death.
“No!” she tenderly argued. Her heart—dead as it was—seemed to shatter into thousands of pieces at the grief that had spread over his pale face. “I knew what I was doing.”
Tristan howled out in pain as a convulsion shook his body. “Sh—should’ve stopped him.”
“He had us all fooled.”
Emma felt her presence in the living realm begin to waver.
The Realm of Shadows was calling her back.
“I have to go now,” she reluctantly told him.
“Stay,” he breathed, between ragged breaths.
Emma’s hair fell around her face as she bent to brush her lips against his. For the briefest moment, she thought she felt something—a tingling warmth that hadn’t been present before. It was gone before she could be certain.
“I love you.”
Tristan fell unconscious again before he could reply, exhausted from his ordeal. It was for the best, Emma thought to herself as she finally faded away. After everything he had been through, Tristan deserved at least a few hours of peaceful sleep.

Please excuse this interruption for a quick update on my writing life!

Some of you may know that I’ve been writing short stories over the last few months for an up-and-coming tabletop gaming company called Knight Errant Games. And let me tell you, it has been what I consider a surreal experience to be a part of the writing world from this side of the table (pun intended). It’s seriously awesome, you guys!

What many of you may not know, however, is that a few weeks ago I was offered a contract and the chance to write a full standalone novel for KEG. As one of the nerdiest people on the planet and someone who has dreamed of writing full-time since the day I could write, I knew I’d have to be an idiot not to consider this opportunity. So after several more emails and a lot of thinking, I am ecstatic to announce that I accepted the offer and as of today, am officially on board to write what I hope to be a super exciting novel about even more super exciting things!

In the meantime, for those of you who are eagerly awaiting for the day when I finally finish TLR 4, I wanted to take a moment to reassure everyone that I am still hard at work on it and really hope to be finished with it in the next couple of months. As always, I promise to give updates with each step of the process and wanted to thank everyone for your interest and support!

I know it’s been some time since my last post, but I feel I owe it to all my readers to let everyone know what’s going on with me and my books!

Where have you been, K.L.???
For starters, I haven’t posted in forever because I really am pressed for time these days, even as I’m writing this sentence. Recently, I had a very big move (all the way from Texas to Alabama), and am now in the middle of my junior year at Auburn (War Eagle!). So anyway, big move=no time for anything and the same goes for the multiple literature classes I’m now taking, which all involve a lot of reading and even more writing (and not even the fun stuff!). Because of this excessive amount of writing research papers about other pretentious stuff, writing for fun has been (dare I say?) difficult lately. But I promise, I am still writing, if only a little at a time.

A big thanks!!!
Before I continue, I would live to give a humongous thank you to everyone for your kind words–seriously, it means the world to me!–and say that YOU GUYS are the reason I love this job. This has definitely not been the easiest of careers to follow–maddening at times–but y’all make it worth my while.

So what’s up with TLR series???
Ok, so, enough with the sappy crap. Many of you have messaged me over the past several weeks in regards to The Apprentice and the future of TLR series. DO NOT FRET. It’s not over until the fat lady sings! …please take no offense to that, just an expression! Anyway, this is my promise to you guys that I still have plenty to write about Evin’s journey, though whether Emma will or will not return I still cannot confirm. I just wanted to assure everyone that there is a story left to be told, but if my news about Emma only served to make you sadder, then, well, job well done on my part.

So when’s the next book supposed to come out???
Probably the most asked question, as of late. To that I can give no definite answer. As I said, being a full-time student who’s currently on the prowl for a part-time job (unfortunately, writing doesn’t exactly pay the bills ): ) it’s extremely hard to be able to write whenever I want. In short, I very much hope to have the fourth book done by next year, but again, no promises. I can promise, however, to keep everyone updated throughout the journey.

Anything in the works in the meantime???
Ah, yes. The other reason why TLR has been put on the back burner for the time being. Those of you who read my most recent book know how much darker it was in tone compared to its companion books. Of course, that was intentional, as I felt I really needed to give this particular book a little more than what anyone had seen so far. Unfortunately, the darkness of this book did make it mentally harder to write than the other two. There was a lot going on in the 500 something pages, a lot of planning involved! Because of this, I felt I needed to start work on something else, something drastically different, before resuming my work on TLR series. Because I would hate to give anyone anything less than my best! Rest assured, that though I cannot say anything else, there are other things in the works, which I am sure you guys will enjoy just as much as TLR series!

Closing words
In short, I just wanted to let everyone know that I’m not dead–very much alive, in fact–and that yes, I do have loads more books planned. Again, when these so-called books will make an appearance is hard to say. I live a busy, if not boring, life. But they are coming! Again, thank you guys so, so much for your words of loveliness and encouragement! It gives me the drive I need to keep up the hard work! Stay strong, my lovelies!

It greatly pains me to say this, but due to a mixture of very complicated circumstances, it looks as if the release date of “The Apprentice” will be pushed back another few weeks. 😦

As I said, this is due to many factors. Primarily, I had hoped to have final edits done within only a couple of days of receiving them, which was earlier this week. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned, as a minor emergency did come up the other night and I spent the better part of yesterday with a terribly crippling sinus infection. These two events alone did set me back a good day.

Obviously, nothing would have made me happier than having everything done and the edited version sent back to my publisher, but after reading through what needs to be done, I would rather take a little extra time to polish and perfect it, for all of my reader’s sakes, than just submit an “okay” copy.

I hope you all understand and are able to bear with me as I put the finishing touches to what I hope to be the best, most exciting book of TLR series yet.

I thank you for your patience and loyalty, to the moon and back. And of course, I will let everyone know when “The Apprentice” is in its final stages of pre-release.

Grab a flashlight and turn the lights out, and try not to scream too loudly!

Please take a moment to stop by my good friend Apryl Baker’s site and check out her bestselling Ghost Files books.

THE GHOST FILES SERIES SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE!!

The Ghost Files Volume 3

By Apryl Baker

Summary from Goodreads:

One, two, the ghosts are coming for you…

Three, four, better salt your door…

Five, six, death and hatred mix…

Seven, eight, help will come too late…

Nine, ten, never reap again…

Seventeen year old, Mattie Hathaway, has enough on her plate without having to deal with the latest teenage ghost drama. The ghosts of eight murdered girls are out for her blood. They blame Mattie for their deaths. She has to figure out what happened to them before they make sure she ends up just like them…dead and angry.

Not only that, but she has to face the greatest fear of her young life, the death of someone she loves. Can she let nature take its course or will she interfere and cause the balance of life and death to spiral out of control?

She’s out of time, and doesn’t know if she should trust Silas, the demon who has taken a very disturbing interest in her or her father, a man just as evil as Silas. Either way, she has to make a choice. But what will it cost her and those she loves?

So for those of you wondering, tonight’s book signing was a major success!

I would like to give a humongous thanks to everyone who came out to see me tonight. I was so pleasantly surprised by the turnout, and even more satisfied with all of the new faces I had the chance to meet. You guys completely bought out The Guardians, and almost all the copies of The Secret Society as well. In other words, y’all rock!

Many of you were asking about The Apprentice and when it will be released. Again, I am just waiting for edits, so the only answer I can give at this point is soon. Of course, though, I will keep everyone updated with each further step we take towards the final publication process.

Again, thanks so much for the support today! It truly means the world to me. Don’t forget to leave a review after you’re done reading, as I am eager to hear your thoughts!

XOXOXOXO,

–K.L.

P.S. Feel free to post all pictures from today to my blog and/or Facebook page! I’d love to make a collage!

So I decided that in celebration of my soon to be upcoming release of Book 3 of “The Lost Realm Series” that I would give everyone a little sneak peek of what I’ve been working on. Let me know what you think when you’re done!

So without further ado….

********************************

Epilogue

Emma stood alone in the middle of the otherwise raging battlefield, her white dress soaked in blood that was not hers. Alan and Gwen were dead, and she had gotten separated from the other remaining few during the fight. But she didn’t have time to mourn her two friends. From the ways things were going now, one Celestial soldier falling after another, things were very rapidly going downhill.

With a sickening smirk, the Dracon, announced, “I have a present for you.”

Emma gasped when one of his followers suddenly stepped forth, roughly dragging with them a bloody and restrained Tristan. “Emma!” he yelled, blood spluttering from his mouth. “Run—”

Emma screamed in despair when Tristan abruptly cut off, the sword of the Rider that had been retraining him running cleanly through his chest.

“Caine!” another voice hollered before Emma could make another move.

Evin and Claire stood at the edge of their bloody circle, weapons raised. They had seen Tristan fall, and from the mirrored grieving expressions on their faces, things were about to get even bloodier.

“I was just looking for you,” Caine said, flashing a disconcerting smile.

“You found me.”

Dragon people flew ahead of them, fire shooting from their mouths and charring the field around them. Sweat beaded on Emma’s brow, but she ignored it.

Evin and Claire surged forward then.

Evin managed to slice several impeding Riders out of his way, with Claire quickly taking care of the ones his missed. They were truly a couple to be trifled with, on and off the battlefield.

It was as Emma was thinking this that a Rider had appeared behind Claire.

“Claire!” she shouted, unable to get passed the wall of Riders blocking her path.

Claire whirled to face her, her violet eyes rolling upward in her skull when the Rider’s blade sliced cleanly through her. Evin had also paused to see what the commotion was, and at the sight of his girlfriend’s battered and falling body, he let out a livid roar.

He charged Caine.

Caine didn’t even blink a golden eye before suddenly arching his back and letting loose a trail of orange flames at the Guardian. Evin’s sword clattered to the charred ground. Emma watched in horror as her twin’s ashes were whisked away in the blowing wind.

“I told you this was a losing battle, Guardian,” Caine said to her as he flicked his horse’s reins. Emma raised her arms protectively in front her, as if that would somehow stop the massive charging beast.

So this was it.

Of all the ways to die, Emma had never imagined being trampled to death.

One of my fellow authors at Limitless has just had their one of their books, Heavenly Hunted, go live on Amazon. Check out the synopsis and then head on over to grab your copy!

There is a new threat in town named Bernie who is has one thing on her mind, killing Indiana. Bernie has very special skills, she stalks her prey while keeping hidden in shadows, isolates her victim’s attacking them when least expected and can get into any house at any time with the occupants unaware.

Indiana feels that no one on this earth poses a risk to herself and continues to her involvement help victims of abuse.
Until Nate put his foot down and demands for her to stop, he feels her safety is more important.
With both Connor and Nate putting their differences aside to protect Indy, will she get through this new threat or will she unintentionally put one her friends lives at risk to satisfy her own selfish needs. Or will love prevail and save the day?